In the aftermath of the time penalty which saw Max Verstappen demoted from third to fourth, it is understandable that the youngster would hit out.

Other than the points, and his fourth visit to the podium of the year, the Red Bull driver was clearly frustrated at having been shown up to the ante room ahead of the podium ceremony, only to be subsequently given his marching orders in favour of Kimi Raikkonen.

At the same time Verstappen was learning the news, team boss Christian Horner was questioning not so much this particular incidence but rather the inconsistency of FIA stewarding and how the regulations are applied.

Without naming him, Horner suggested that it was no coincidence that one particular steward appears to have form, claiming that the youngster has been punished by the same official on numerous previous occasions.

Verstappen, however, not for the first time that afternoon, exceeded the limits, by pointing the finger directly at Garry Connelly.

"It's one idiot steward up there which always makes decisions against me," he told Sky TV. However, in subsequent interviews with Dutch broadcasters he referred to Connelly as a ‘mongol', leading to fears the Red Bull driver will face some form of punishment in Mexico this weekend.

Talking to Dutch TV show Peptalk, Verstappen has attempted to calm the situation, admitting that he was emotional when he spoke, caught up in the heat of the moment.

"In the heat of the moment you say things," he said, "but of course I didn't mean anything bad. At that moment, it just blurts out. I didn't mean to hurt anyone."

The youngster, like many within the paddock, and fans, believes the whole stewarding process needs an overhaul in terms of consistency and transparency, after all, only one driver was punished for exceeding track limits all weekend, and in the penultimate corner on the final lap.

"I think more people want that," he said. "I think it wasn't correct and it's ridiculous that you can't do anything against it," he added, referring to the fact that he cannot appeal Sunday's penalty.

"We'll talk about it, but we need to see what's right. I don't have a clear answer to that right now."

Asked, if a 'clear the air' meeting with Connelly might help, he said: "I don't have anything to explain. You can sit down with each other and talk for hours, but it doesn't change anything."

Verstappen-slappen anyone.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Pavlo, 25/10/2017 9:20

"@Dajomas: Bottas didn't get a penalty because Verstappen should have been penalized for it. He pushed Bottas out of the track not even trying to leave the space, it's a clear foul.
Max moved inside in a silly move, Kimi left enough space. Please rewatch it.
There can be no argument that Max should be penalized for cutting the track. 100% foul and penalty. There is a question that stewards should have given way more penalties, incl. cancelling pole lap of Lewis (2 times off the track) and penalizing Max for cutting half of the corners in Sector 1.
I am surprised that no one noticed, that the real violation was in sector 1, where Max was able to reach Kimi, while cutting during the overtake was just an unnecessary move. Had Max stayed on the track with just one wheel, he would be third and no one would notice that it was because breaking the rules.
I'd also be glad if stewards announce this penalty as cumulative for all 3 cases, not just the last one.
Or send a clear message that white lines are to be ignored - Kimi would have been also cutting all the corners and Max wouldn't get close at all."

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2. Posted by Dajomas, 25/10/2017 8:25

"@DJ @F1_revival
Please rewatch the race and then explaing to me why Sainz and Bottos did not get a timepenalty after going outside the lines with all 4's while gaining an advantage during an overtaking move (Sainz on Ocon and Bottos when Verstappen tried to overtake him) and Verstappen moved across the line to avoid a collission when Raikonnen moved inwards and gets 5 secs?

Then tell me with dry eyes there is no bias at work here. (Be that against Verstappen or in favour of Ferrari)"

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3. Posted by Greg, 25/10/2017 7:55

"Build up the curbs a little and a higher on a little further in. If they do 2 wheels off no issue 4 wheea off they jit the bigger curb . More damage to the car yes but ghe drivers will soon want to stay inside. If they keep damaging their cars the team will soon put them on notice"

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4. Posted by F1_revival, 25/10/2017 5:48

"Max pushes the limits all the time, some of his past overtaking moves have been questionable, but he has often got away with it. Overtaking someone by leaving the track has never been allowed, (imagine cutting the chicane at Monte Carlo?) so why would anybody believe Max should get away with it now?

He is an exciting driver but still a young hothead that needs to step back into line. "

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5. Posted by The Canadian, 24/10/2017 22:26

"Right or wrong, M.V. let his jaws flap without thinking before he spoke. Again. He needs to sit out a race or two. Maybe that will teach him. "

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6. Posted by DJ, 24/10/2017 21:57

"If you exceed the track limits and gain an advantage, you have to give it back, end of story."

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7. Posted by yakker, 24/10/2017 18:51

"Ferrari International Assistance is alive and well."

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8. Posted by nonickname, 24/10/2017 18:48

"It was the move of the year.Everyone was over the white lines at some stage,Hamilton more than most.
AS Lauder said a white line means nothing,buil a wall.
F1 is like watching a very poor sitcome.
Who else was embarrassed by the awful opening ceremony?"

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